Abstract: A dryer for use with a bidet is disclosed. In one embodiment, a moveable dryer wand emits an air curtain as the dryer wand moves across the bidet bowl beneath the user after cleansing. We further disclose a dryer which produces a second air current which moves air in a different direction than that emitted by the dryer wand and further controls the movement of excess water remaining on a user after cleansing. A dryer that includes moveable dryer wand used in coordination with a moveable bidet wand are also disclosed and claimed herein.

Abstract: The liquid sample capture apparatus captures a sample of a liquid and holds the sample for optical analysis. The apparatus may include a mount which is traversed by a sample conduit. The mount may have an elongated shape and two ferrules may be placed within the mount along the longitudinal axis of the mount. An end of each of the ferrules may extend into the sample conduit forming a narrowing of the sample conduit which holds the liquid and prevents it from escaping prior to analysis. The opposite ends of the ferrules may each be connected to an optical cable. The optical cables may be connected to an analytical device, for example, a spectrometer. The apparatus may be mounted within a toilet bowl where it may capture and analyze a urine sample.

Abstract: A modular toilet is disclosed comprising a toilet shell and a hydraulic core. The hydraulic core module is a separate unit from the toilet shell module and may be non-symmetrical with the internal and external form of the shell. The core module comprises a toilet bowl connected to a siphon drain comprising a weir. The drain may be a vertical loop drain. The toilet shell and the hydraulic core may comprise mutual sealing surfaces. The drain may comprise openings for connection to a toilet ventilation system.

Abstract: A thin scale apparatus for measuring body weight includes 5 or more force sensors within a total thickness of between 0.4 inches and 0.004 inches measured between a bottom surface and a top surface of the thin scale apparatus. The thin scale is designed to be thin enough to be non-intrusive or not recognized by a user. A weight of a toilet user may be determined as a combination of additive force of force sensors in a thin scale and force sensor associated with a toilet seat of a toilet. The force sensors may be positioned in one or more cavities on a bottom side of a substrate material of the thin scale or be embedded within a substrate material. Embodiments of a standalone thin scale and a thin scale with a toilet are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a toilet that includes a liquid level sensor on the surface of a flush jet fill tube. The liquid level sensor is a noncontact electrical impedance sensor that is an electrical capacitor. The capacitor may be used alone or with other volume sensors to detect volume of materials added to a toilet bowl. Some embodiments include a processor which records data and provides reports that may be clinically useful to assess the user's health status. The temporal nature of the liquid level sensor measurements is particularly useful because urination or defecation may be measured over time. Not only are total volumes detected but rates at which waste is deposited into the toilet during the entire excretion event are detected. These measurements are particularly useful in assessing certain health conditions.

Abstract: A two-piece toilet with a seam and a channel at an intersection of the two toilet pieces is disclosed. An LED strip and diffuser strip are used to fill in the channel and hide seam of the intersection of the two toilet pieces. The LED strip transmits light into the channel and the light is refracted off of the channel and through the diffuser strip on the back side of the LED strip. An exterior and interior of a toilet may be lighted by the LED strip.

Abstract: A quiet toilet apparatus disclosed. Microphones and circuitry are used to receive and detect one or more virtual point source locations and propagation directions of unwanted toilet noise. Speakers are used to create one or more synthesized wave fronts resulting in cancelation and reduction of unwanted toilet noise. The speakers, microphones and circuitry may be located within a toilet seat of a toilet or at a remote location. A user device or remote device may be connected to the noise reduction toilet apparatus for data recording, collection, reporting, and electronic noise filtering.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device that measures volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by an individual's urine, feces or present in flatulence for use in assessing the individual's health. The device may be part of a toilet. The device includes a gas sensor that measures VOCs in the air within the toilet bowl after waste is deposited therein. The device includes a manifold that keeps air from the toilet bowl separate from water and waste in the toilet bowl until the gas sensor has collected readings. Then the manifold combines the air, water, and waste before depositing the material into the sewer system. The gas sensor may be connected to a processor that analyses the gas sensor readings, provides a report of the analyzed data, and transmits the data to a network. A healthcare provider may download the data from the network to assess the individual's health.

Abstract: We disclose a device and method for collecting a urine sample as a user urinates into a toilet. The device further conducts analytical measurements which may include spectral, colorimetric, and chemical assays. The user need only urinate normally into the toilet. A urine collection trap, which includes a vertical slit, may capture a urine sample which has a volume in the microliter range. Pumps may divert the urine from the vertical slit into a conduit that is connected to spectral analysis devices and other devices for analyzing the urine sample. The disclosed device is both convenient and prevents unsanitary urine spills.

Abstract: A toilet comprising a rinsing seat, a rimless bowl, and a helical loop trapway is disclosed. An annular cavity for the purpose of storing and dispensing rinse water from the rinsing seat is disclosed. Outlet nozzles arranged about the circumference of the rinsing seat and designed to dispense rinse water at the rimless bowl are disclosed. Rinsing seat supports, hinge assemblies, and seat sensors which offer additional functionality to the rinsing seat are also disclosed. The toilet includes a steep interior surface with a titanium dioxide coating and actuatable ultraviolet light sources. The titanium dioxide has antimicrobial properties in the presence of ultraviolet light to sanitize the toilet. The ultraviolet light source is actuatable to control when the antimicrobial properties of the titanium dioxide coating are activated. The exterior of the toilet is coated with doped titanium dioxide which is antimicrobial in the presence of visible light.

Abstract: A helical drain for a toilet is disclosed. The present invention relates to a novel toilet drain configuration. Specifically, the novel toilet drain configuration comprises a helical loop trapway. The drain of the present invention exits the toilet bowl and forms a substantially vertical tubular loop running generally parallel to the width of the bowl or stool, or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bowl or stool, before being connected to a sewer. The drain of the present invention functions like a P-trap syphon in removing the contents of the bowl. The diameter of the looped tubular portion of the drain may vary by approximately 20 percent or less in the direction of the sewer connection. Sensors may be placed on the drain to monitor drain contents, fluid levels, and drain performance. The drain may be fitted with valves to control the flow of fluids and gases through the drain.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a toilet that includes a slanted fill tube with an optical proximity sensor positioned on or within the inner surface of the fill tube. The optical proximity sensor includes an incoherent light source and a photodiode. The optical proximity sensor as disclosed herein detects small changes in volumes added to a toilet bowl. Consequently, small volumes of excrement that are deposited in the toilet bowl by a user may be detected with greater accuracy. In some embodiments, information about the volume of urine or feces deposited into the toilet bowl is recorded and calculated by a processor. Other sensors, including a toilet bowl water level sensor and a gas sensor may collect data in combination with the optical proximity sensor to provide more complete information about the user's health.

Abstract: A smart flush toilet apparatus provides dynamic control of a toilet flush length and/or a toilet flush water volume based on data collected from toilet paper dispenser sensors and/or toilet bowl displacement sensors. A toilet paper dispenser may be used to report toilet paper usage to resupply toilet paper.

Abstract: A modular toilet is disclosed comprising a toilet shell and a hydraulic core. The hydraulic core module is a separate unit from the toilet shell module and may be non-symmetrical with the internal and external form of the shell. The core module comprises a toilet bowl connected to a siphon drain comprising a weir. The drain may be a vertical loop drain. The toilet shell and the hydraulic core may comprise mutual sealing surfaces. The drain may comprise openings for connection to a toilet ventilation system.

Abstract: An rinsing seat for a rimless toilet is disclosed. In one embodiment, the rinsing seat includes a large annular cavity for the purpose of storing and dispensing rinse water. In another embodiment, the rinsing seat includes a smaller annular cavity for the purpose of dispensing rinse water from a pressurized line. Outlet nozzles arranged about the circumference of the rinsing seat and designed to dispense rinse water at varying angles relative to the rinsing seat are disclosed. Rinsing seat supports, hinge assemblies, and seat sensors which offer additional functionality to the rinsing seat are also disclosed and claimed herein.

Abstract: An excreta-sampling toilet is disclosed which includes a bowl, a processing apparatus, and a chiller. The bowl separates excreta into solid excreta and liquid excreta. The processing apparatus then processes the solid excreta into a solid excreta sample, including metering it by weight or volume and storing it in containers. The chiller lowers the temperature of the sample, which is stored to await analysis. A metered liquid excreta sample is also stored and chilled in separate storage containers.

Abstract: An excreta-sampling toilet is disclosed which includes a bowl, a processing apparatus, and a chiller. The bowl separates excreta into solid excreta and liquid excreta. The processing apparatus then processes the solid excreta into a solid excreta sample, including metering it by weight or volume and storing it in containers. The chiller lowers the temperature of the sample, which is stored to await analysis. A metered liquid excreta sample is also stored and chilled in separate storage containers.

Abstract: An in-toilet urine sampling and measurement system is disclosed. One or more toilet sensors trigger volatilization, measurement, and analysis of volatile compounds in a urine sample. Volatile urine compounds may be concentrated, measured, and analyzed by a measurement system attached to a toilet bowl. A volatilizer system may use heat generated from one or more measurement devices to assist in volatilization of the urine sample.

Abstract: A health condition determination method is disclosed. Analyte samples may be obtained from a medical toilet in individual sessions on a daily basis and analyzed over weeks, months and years. Data collected from these samples is analyzed according to a predetermined target variance. The data is filtered and recursively analyzed inputting additional sample data until the refined measured variance is within the target variance. The determined health condition is then communicated to a health professional.

Abstract: A user-identifying adjustable footstool that is capable of identifying individual users and automatically adjusting based on user-identification. The footstool can save preferences for different users, such as specific heights or angles. These preferences are called when a user is successfully identified by the footstool. The user-identifying adjustable footstool is particularly useful in conjunction with a toilet, to allow users to achieve individualized squatting positions while using traditional western toilets.